RF amplifier system having multiple selectable power output levels

An RF amplification system for generating a plurality of discrete power amplification for an RF signal comprising:

• variable gain amplifier means for generating an amplified RF signal at an output thereof and having a gain control input lead for receiving said RF signal;
• coupling means connected to said output of said variable gain amplifier means for generating first and second RF signals representative of said amplified RF signal including first and second attenuator means for selective linear attenuation of said first and second RF signals, respectively;
• first and second detector means, each detector means for generating an output DC signal as a function of a respective first and second RF signals;
• switch means operatively connected to said first and second detector means for enabling a selected one of said output DC signals to be output as said selected output DC signal;
• means for selectively generating one of a plurality of discrete amplification factors, each amplification factor being representative of a desired power amplification level;
• and
• amplifier means for amplifying said selected output DC signal as a function of said selected amplification factor, said amplified DC signal coupled to said gain control input lead of said variable gain amplifier means.

An RF amplification system for generating a plurality of discrete power amplification levels for an RF signal comprising:

• variable power amplifier means for generating an amplified RF signal at an output thereof and having a power level control input lead and an input lead for receiving said RF signal;
• coupling means connected to said output of said variable power amplifier means for generating an RF signal representative of said amplified RF signal;
• detector means for generating an output DC voltage as a function of an input RF signal;
• a plurality of linear attenuator means connected in series for generating said input RF signal by selectively attenuating said generated RF signal such that said input RF signal is substantially in a temperature invariant range of operating of said detector means, including means associated with each one of said attenuator means for selectively shorting said associated attenuator means as function of an input control signal;
• and
• amplifier means for amplifying said output DC signal, said amplified DC signal coupled to said power level control input lead of said variable gain amplifier means.

An RF amplification system for generating a plurality of discrete power amplification levels for an RF signal comprising:

• a variable gain power amplifier means for generating an amplified RF signal at an output thereof and having gain control input lead and an input lead for receiving said RF signal;
• means connected to said output of said variable gain amplifier means for generating first and second RF signals representative of said amplified RF signal, including first and second isolated coupling means for attenuation of said generated RF signals, such that each said attenuated signal is substantially in a temperature invariant range of operation of said detector means;
• first and second detector means for generating first and second output DC signals from said first and second RF signals respectively,
• a DC switch having a first input lead for receiving said first DC signal and a second input lead for receiving said second DC signal and having a control lead and an output lead such that a selected DC power level is output in response to control signals on said control lead;
• microprocessor means having a control lead operatively connected to said switch means for enabling a selected one of said first and second DC signals to be output as a selected output DC signal, and for selectively generating one of a plurality of amplification factors;
• and
• amplifier means for amplifying said selected output DC signal as a function of said generated amplification factor, said amplified selected output DC signal coupled to said gain control input lead of said variable gain amplifier means.